ABC just decided to stand firm against intense political pressure by extending comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s contract for another year. The host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” recently signed a fresh one-year deal with the Disney-owned broadcast network, as per The Hill. This means fans can expect Kimmel to stick around on late-night TV all the way through May 2027.
This extension is a seriously bold move, especially considering the ongoing, high-stakes conflict between the network and the current administration. President Trump has repeatedly attacked ABC over its news coverage and has previously threatened to use his Federal Communications Commission, the FCC, to scrutinize the network’s broadcast license. Extending the contract of one of the president’s most vocal critics right now seems like a direct statement that ABC isn’t going to back down.
Kimmel is known for being a frequent and often harsh critic of the president. Things came to a head earlier this fall when he angered the president and his supporters with comments he made regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. That incident caused a major firestorm.
ABC’s defiant move might draw more wrath from the President
The backlash was so intense that President Trump’s FCC chair actually jumped into the fray. The chair suggested that ABC affiliates should consider pulling Kimmel’s program off the air entirely. The argument was that the show was not fulfilling its duty to serve the public interest, which is a pretty serious charge coming from a regulatory body. That kind of threat is awful for media stability, creating unnecessary anxiety about censorship.
Following the controversial comments, Disney did suspend Kimmel, giving him a brief hiatus from the airwaves. However, that break lasted only a few days. Kimmel returned to the show quickly, delivering a tearful apology in front of a record-setting audience. That huge viewership demonstrated just how many people tune in when the drama ramps up, solidifying Kimmel’s relevance despite the political heat. Kimmel also ended up becoming the third most trending person on Google for 2025.
The network’s decision to keep Kimmel is a top-tier move that shows they value their talent and their freedom to criticize. This specific incident is just one piece of a much larger, ongoing battle. The president hasn’t just focused on Kimmel; he has continuously attacked ABC’s news coverage in general. When the leader of the country threatens to scrutinize your license, you’d think the network would try to quietly reduce controversy, but this extension is the exact opposite of caving to pressure.
Kimmel has been a cornerstone of ABC’s late-night lineup for a very long time, starting with the network way back in 2003. Extending him through 2027, right after all this political heat and specific FCC threats, is a massive vote of confidence. This news is absolutely going to send the president into a frenzy, but for fans of late-night comedy and for those who appreciate the network standing by its talent, it’s a huge win.
Published: Dec 9, 2025 02:30 pm